Summary heading

  Descriptive Note   

Function and purpose

This series consists of one volume containing an index of file numbers in series A10756 to the relevant Decision Number.  It covers all the Decisions from Second to Fifth Fraser ministries.

The contents are plain pages with typed data in two columns per page showing the Decision number in the left hand and the relevant ’LC’ file number in series A10756 on the right side.   The entries range from Decision No 1(M) (relates to file LC2) made on 22 December 1975 to Decision Number 19675 (relates to file LC518) which was made on 11 February 1983.  There are about 200 pages accumulated from the bottom up.

The first page is headed ‘Cabinet Decision Register’ and this title also appear on the spine of the volume.  However, this is not an accurate title since this is not a register but merely an index.  CRS A12911 is the Decision Register.

The list of Decision Numbers includes all numbers whether made in a Ministry, Cabinet or Cabinet Committee meeting – it also shows numbers that were not used.

This index was created in Cabinet Office, probably as a relatively informal record, to facilitate quick reference to the relevant LC file when a Decision number was known.  Normally where a Decision is made in response to a Submission, the LC file is indicated by reference to the Submission register.  However where there is no Submission this link does not exist and the Register of Decisions (CRS A12911) does not record the relevant LC file for each Decision   This index is therefore especially useful in the case of Decisions without Submission.

Related legislation

 

Using the series

This series is used as a quick reference to an LC file number when the Decision number is known.   The Decision numbers are listed in one ongoing sequence from 1(M) to 19675 and the number of the relevant file in A10756, for each Decision,  is entered opposite.

The number register for the LC files is now in the custody of NAA and is controlled as CRS A12999.  

All items of A10756 are being entered in the RecordSearch database and the full description for each file (title and date range) can be retrieved by entering series Number ‘A10756’ and the File Number in the Reference query box in RecordSearch

Language of material

Physical characteristics

  This is a single item series – a four-post binder (black)  with label (yellow) on the spine showing ‘Cabinet Decision Register Fraser Ministry – 1975/1983’.  The contents consist of an accumulation of plain pages showing Decision Number and LC file number, typed in two columns on each page.  The latest file numbers on the final (top-most) page are hand-written.

System of arrangement and control

  This is a single item series (one folder).  It did not originally have any formal control, apart from the identifying label.  A simple number control (item 1) has been imposed by National Archives.   The entries in the folder are arranged by Decision number – from 1 to 19675

Relationships with other records

Series A12938 indexes Decision Number to relevant LC file number in series A10756.  The Decision register (CRS A 12911)  controls the allocation of Decision number to register all Decisions made in that ministry, including Decisions Without Submissions.  The complete set of copies of all Decisions (including Ministry Decisions) is series A13075.  There is also a discrete collection of Ministry Decisions (only) in A12931.  The register of LC files in series A10756 is CRS A12999

Finding aids

  This series and related series of the First Fraser Ministry are described in RecordSearch database both at Series level and item level.  For general information regarding the Cabinet office refer to registration for agency CA 1472 in RecordSearch.  The Cabinet Office procedures regarding preparation of  Submissions is described in detail in the Cabinet Handbook which was first printed during the term of the second Fraser Ministry (February in 1976.)  The Handbook also outlines the operation of the Cabinet system in broad terms.  The present edition (the fifth) can be seen at   www.pmc.gov.au/guidelines/index.cfm

Note that Cabinet Decisions are referred to in the Handbook, and in some other contexts, as Cabinet Minutes.  Matters that are raised in the Cabinet meeting for which no submission has been made (leading to a Decision without Submission) are referred to as ‘under–the-line’ matters.

Access conditions

 

Series history

 

Provenance

  The record item that constitutes this series was created in the Cabinet Office (CA1472) in December 1975.  The contents were added to the record item from that date to February 1983.

Immediate source of acquisition

 

Custodial history

  The records that constitute this series were transferred from the Cabinet Office to the custody of the National Archives in May 2004

Quantity in agency custody

 

Disposal history

 

Publication note

 

Additional information

 

End notes

Sources